The S 500 Plug-In Hybrid is the greenest of them all though; Mercedes-Benz’ first plug-in hybrid, it emits over 50 per cent fewer CO2 emissions across its lifecycle than a conventional luxury car, and travel more than 20 miles on battery power emitting zero local emissions.

The ISO certificate adds that external charging with the European electricity mix can, over a 186,000-mile lifecycle, “cut CO2 emissions by some 43 per cent (35 tonnes)”.

Switch that energy source to hydroelectricity and the 56 per cent reduction – 46 tonnes – is possible.

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